Students used candy to model the structure of DNA. They were expected to create an assigned sequence of DNA nucleotides and then likewise create the complimentary DNA strand.
In DNA, each nucleotide consists of a deoxyribose (red licorice), a phosphate (marshmallow), and a nitrogenous base (Skittle). It is important that the deoxyribose and phosphates make up the back-bone and that the bases are bound to the deoxyribose.
The Skittle bases are as follows:
Based on the original stand of DNA, the complimentary strand of DNA was created using the correct base pairs: G to C, C to G, T to A, A to T.
In this example, the students were assigned the sequence CAGCA and determined the complimentary sequence GTCGT.
The original DNA strand (left side) was glued in place for a later activity (transcription).
Unit 4: Genetics & Heredity
In DNA, each nucleotide consists of a deoxyribose (red licorice), a phosphate (marshmallow), and a nitrogenous base (Skittle). It is important that the deoxyribose and phosphates make up the back-bone and that the bases are bound to the deoxyribose.
The Skittle bases are as follows:
- Thymine (T) - Purple
- Adenine (A) - Red
- Guanine (G) - Green
- Cytosine (C) - Yellow
Based on the original stand of DNA, the complimentary strand of DNA was created using the correct base pairs: G to C, C to G, T to A, A to T.
In this example, the students were assigned the sequence CAGCA and determined the complimentary sequence GTCGT.
The original DNA strand (left side) was glued in place for a later activity (transcription).
Unit 4: Genetics & Heredity